Active clinical trials for "Neoplasms"

Preoperative chemoradiation therapy is the preferred initial treatment option for distal rectal cancers. However, assessing tumor response to preoperative chemoradiation therapy remains a challenge to the colorectal surgeon, especially when determining if there is a complete response, observed in more than 10% of cases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of the PET/CT in assessing distal rectal tumor response to preoperative chemoradiation therapy.

The purpose of the study is to identify a surrogate serum marker for tumor hypoxia in patients with lung cancers.

There is much data in the literature regarding optimal treatment approaches for malignant pleural effusions as assessed by patient outcomes. However, data on quality of life and satisfaction with treatment from the patient's perspective is not available.

The goal of this multicentric French randomized trial is to determine the best auto fluorescence bronchial endoscopic follow-up strategy in high risk patients bearing low grade bronchial precancerous lesions. Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of the following arm : (A) every 6 months clinical and chest Xrays follow-up without intermediate endoscopy, (B) every 6 months clinical and chest Xrays follow-up including repeated autofluorescence endoscopy and biopsies on a 6 months basis in case of low grade dysplasia or on a one year basis in patients without dysplasia. After 36 months follow-up, each patient from the two groups will be subjected to a final autofluorescence endoscopy and biopsy and a Spiral Chest Xray. The final analysis will compare between the two groups : The probability of progression from an initially identified low grade lesion to a high grade lesion The probability of respiratory epithelial tract progression assessed by the occurrence of a lung cancer or high grade lesion. The characteristics of lung cancers detected in each arm In both arm, the influence of risk factors and persistent exposure to tobacco on lesion evolutivity.

The purpose of this study is to registrate long time clinical and histological treatment response of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions treated with one or two procedures of dimethylsulfoxide supported 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (DMSO-PDT).

The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate the diagnostic performance of scrape cytology using two different cytological staining techniques, and to evaluate additional touch imprint cytology with that of histopathology of superficial basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis.

To determine the prevalence of colorectal neoplasms in first degree relatives of those affected with sporadic colorectal cancer using colonoscopy as a screening tool. The prevalence will be compared to that of a defined matched cohort.

The purpose of this study is to describe the regional and global tumor hypoxia in head-and-neck cancer during percutaneous radiation therapy

The purpose of the study is to describe the regional and global FDG-kinetics in head and neck cancer during percutaneous radiation therapy.

Oro-pharyngeal cancers can develop from squamous dysplastic precursor lesions, which occur in a subset of common white (leukoplakia), red (erythroplasia), or mixed oro-pharyngeal plaques. Known risk factors for oro-pharyngeal cancer include tobacco smoke, alcohol consumption, diet and, in a subset of tumors, human papillomavirus (HPV). Along the oro-pharyngeal disease continuum, there may be variations in gene expression precursor lesions as a result of exposure to smoking, alcohol and HPV. However, the components of gene expression that are most likely associated with tumorigenesis in these tissues are poorly understood. This study will focus upon early gene expression profiles in the oral cavity and oropharynx in subjects who have precursor lesions and have been exposed to the common risk factors for carcinoma development including smoking and HPV infection. This application is to conduct pilot testing and establish appropriate procedures for an international prospective cohort study of the natural history of oro-pharyngeal cancer precursors among men and women at high risk of oro-pharyngeal cancer at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx-NY. Brush biopsy specimens will be used to collect a transepithelial sample of cells from oro-pharyngeal plaques, as well as normal tissue from defined regions of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. Measurement of gene expression will employ novel high-throughput cDNA microarray analysis and PCR-based HPV DNA testing. Oro-pharyngeal dysplasia will be diagnosed using cytopathology. Under this application, we will assess our planned instruments and procedures on an initial sample of 40 subjects. This planning period will allow for precise identification of methodologies, standardization of instruments and assays to be utilized by additional participating centers in a subsequent application.